Spelling Struggles: Helping Malaysian ESL Learners in the SPM 1119/4 Listening Paper

Image credit to: https://www.publicationcoach.com/when-you-should-ignore-spelling/

Spelling errors are a common problem among Malaysian ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, especially in high-stakes exams like the SPM Listening paper. Although this paper mainly tests listening skills, accurate spelling is crucial in Part 4, where students must write down what they hear. A misspelled answer, even if correctly heard, can cost valuable marks.

One reason students misspell is the influence of their first language, Bahasa Malaysia, which is phonetically consistent. English, on the other hand, has many irregular spellings. Words like “cough,” “rough,” and “enough” sound similar but are spelled differently, confusing learners. Additionally, weak vocabulary, poor reading habits, and a lack of exposure to English outside the classroom contribute to spelling errors.

Another key issue is the fast pace of the Listening paper. Students often rush to jot down answers and may not have time to double-check their spelling. If they haven’t mastered high-frequency vocabulary, they are more likely to spell words incorrectly under pressure.

To address this issue, targeted preparation is essential. Teachers should expose students to common SPM vocabulary and reinforce spelling through regular dictation and listening activities. Practice with past-year papers can help students get used to the test format and build confidence. Focused listening exercises that combine audio with spelling practice—such as listening to a sentence and writing down the key word—can be very effective.

In the classroom, integrating spelling drills into listening tasks and encouraging peer review can also reinforce correct spelling habits. Ultimately, building both listening and spelling skills together is key to helping students perform well in the SPM Listening paper. With the right strategies, spelling mistakes can be significantly reduced, boosting both confidence and exam scores.

Below are some commonly misspelled words by Malaysian candidates in the SPM 1119/4 Listening paper. To improve spelling accuracy, it is essential for teachers to conduct regular spelling drills and assessment.

1. Accommodation – Double "c" and double "m" confuse many learners.

2. Definitely – Often misspelled as "definately" due to pronunciation.

3. Separate – The "a" in the second syllable is often replaced with an "e".

4. Embarrass – Double "r" and double "s" are easy to forget.

5. Occurred – Double "c" and double "r" again trip people up.

6. Maintenance – The switch from "maintain" to "maintenance" is unintuitive.

7. Pronunciation – Learners often incorrectly spell it like the verb "pronounce".

8. Privilege – Confusion over "e" vs. "i" in the ending.

9. Receipt – The silent "p" is often omitted.

10. Rhythm – A very unusual spelling pattern with no clear vowels.

11. Conscience – The “-science” part throws off learners.

12. Psychology – The silent "p" at the beginning is tricky.

13. Guarantee: The 'ua' combination and the double 'e' at the end are tricky.

14. Queue: A very unusual spelling for its pronunciation, often leading to missing letters.

15. Entrepreneur: A longer word with several silent letters and unusual vowel combinations.

16. Hierarchy – Complex structure and uncommon syllables.

17. Bureaucracy – Multiple vowels and awkward structure.

18. Occasionally – The double "c" and double "l" confuse learners.

19. Weird – Violates the usual "i before e" rule.

20. Vacuum – The double "u" is not obvious.

More words will be listed in the next write-up.